Apparatus for fastening a superposed mass of sheet-like materials

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for fastening a superposed mass of sheet-like materials wherein there is provided a device for clamping an incoming superposed mass of sheet-like materials from above and below; the clamping device is carried to a feeder of heat contactible tape while holding the superposed mass; the tape is drawn out by being initially pressed against the forward end face of the superposed mass to be wound about the forward end face, top and bottom surfaces of the clamped mass; when the tape is further drawn out, those portions of the tape which extend outward from the top and bottom surfaces of the mass at its rear end are welded together; at the same time that looped portion of the tape which is wound about the mass is cut off to be separated from the feeder with the other portion being drawn out therefrom left uncut; the superposed mass thus wound are conducted to a heating device in a clamped state for thermal contraction of the tape so as to be tightly fastened together; and finally the fastened mass is taken outside by a withdrawing device.

United States Patent 1 91 i I I if 1111' 3,766,708

Kubo et al. Y I 1 1 Oct. 23, 1973 APPARATUS FOR FASTENING A I SUPERPOSED MASS F SHEET-LIKE Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee MATERIALS Assistant Examiner-John Sipos [75] Inventors: Mitsuo Kubo, Tokyo; Shunichi Att0mey Robert Flynn et Nka" Ykh :Sh'

a 1mm, 0 0 ama 3 57 ABSTRACT I-Iorino, Tokyo, all of Japan An apparatus for fastening a superposed mass of [73] Assignee: m??? Electric sheet-like materials wherein there is provided a device awasa apan for clamping an incoming superposed mass of sheet- [22] Filed; Nov, 9, 1971 like materials from above and below; the clamping device'is carried to a feeder of heat contactible tape [21] Appl' 197319 while holding the superposed mass; the tape is drawn out by being initially pressed against the forward end Foreign Application Priorit D t face of the superposed mass to be wound about the Nov. 13,1970 Japan 99/26 fmward end face and bottom Surfaces 0f the I clamped mass; when the tape is further drawn out, [52] Us. CL 53/124, 53/124 CC 53/184, those portions of the tape which extend outward from 53/198 R the top and bottom surfaces of the mass at its rear end are welded together; at the same time that looped portion of the tape which is wound about the mass is cut off to be separated from the feeder with the other portion being drawn out therefrom left uncut; the superposed mass thus wound are conducted to a heating device in a clamped state for thermal contraction of the [51] Int. Cl. Bb 13/20 [58] Field of Search 53/124 C, 124 D, 53/124 CC, 182, 184, 198 R; 198/24;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS v tape so as to be tightly fastened together, and finally the fastened mass is taken outside by a withdrawing 3,158,973 12/1964 Monaghan 53/182 x deviw 3,490,194 l/l970 Monaghan 53/182 X 3,548,560 12/1970 Marshall 53/124 C 17 Claims; 14 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDMI 23 ms 3 766; 70a SHEET 10F 4 FIG 1 FIG. 2

PATENIEU UN 2 3 I973 SHEET 2 BF 4 FIG. 4B

FIG. 4A

APPARATUS FOR FASTENING A SUPERPOSED MASS F SHEET-LIKE MATERIALS This invention relates to an apparatus for fastening a superposed mass of sheet-like materials and more particularly to a fastening apparatus which consists in forwarding successively .incoming superposed masses of sheet-like-materials in a state clamped on both crosswise sides to a heating device for thermal contraction of the tape wound about said superposedmass so as'to fasten it tightly.

Anautomatic apparatus for reading and classifying sheet like materials, for example, mail matter such as post cards and sealed writing reads out addresses indicated on the surface thereof; collects them according to the read out addresses; after collection, superposes a prescribed amount of mail matter, followed by bundling. If, in this case, superposed sheet-like materials are loosely fastened, for example, by film, there will be the possibility of part of the mass falling off. To prevent such occurrence, it may be contemplated first to wind a heat contractible film loosely around the superposed mass of sheet-like materials and later thermally .contract said film, thereby effecting the tight bundling of said mass. To date, however, there has not been put into practical application any good fastening apparatus capable of binding successively incoming superposed masses of sheet like materials efficiently as well as reliably. 7

It is accordingly the object of this invention to provide an apparatus for fastening successively incoming superposed masses of sheet-like-materials (hereinafter simply referred to as a superposed mass) efficiently as well as'unfailingly with heat contractible material.

The apparatus of this invention comprises a transporting device for forwarding the superposed mass; a clamping device for clamping both crosswise sides of the superposed mass paralle with the direction in which it is travelling and further conducting it forward; a tape feeder for drawing out a heat contractible tape by initially pressing it against the forward end face defined between the clamped sides of the superposed mass in the'direction in which it is moved, so as to cause the tape to be wound about the aforesaid end face, top and bottom surfaces of thesuperposed mass in a mannerto intersect. the travelling direction of the superposed mass at right angles in a vertical plane; a welding device for welding together the portions of the tape extending outward from the top and bottom surfaces of the superposed mass at its rear end to form a, loop wound about those portions of the peripheralsurface of the superposed mass which are. defined between its clamped crosswise sides; a tape cutting device for cutting that looped portion of the tape which is wound about the superposed mass to separate it from the feeder with the other portion being drawn out therefrom left uncut; a

- tape cutting device;

certicicates, paper notes and cards, but also other similar nonpaper materials. 1

According to this invention, the superposed mass clamped on both crosswise sides can be bound tightly and reliably with a looped tape, which is later thermally contracted, withoutbeing disturbed in the superposed form. I

The apparatus of this invention continuously carries out the sequential steps of clamping the superposed mass on both crosswise sides,'windinga looped tape around those portions of the peripheral surface of the superposed mass which are defined between its clamped sides, thermally contracting the looped tape and removing the fastened mass. Therefore, the operating efficiency of said apparatus is prominently elevated.

According to the invention, the superposed mass may be clamped with its cross section in its travelling direction purposely bent, so as to cause it to be fastened all the more firmly by a looped tape when it is thermally contracted.

Further according'to the invention, when the looped portion of the tape is cut off to be separated from the feeder, the other portion being drawn out therefrom is left uncut ready for use with the succeeding superposed mass and also the welded joint of the looped-tape can be prevented from being formed at two places.

The present invention can be more fully. understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with reference to the appended drawings,

in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation showing the arrangement of the main parts of a fastening apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a forwarding device mounted on a transporting mechanism, for example, a belt conveyor so as to further more forward the superposed mass already brought there;

FIG. 3 is a perspectiveview of a clamping device for holding the crosswise sides of the superposed mass placed on the mounting members of the device by the forwarding device of FIG. 2; I i

FIG. 4a illustrates the condition of the clamping device of FIG. 3 before holding the superposed mass;

FIG. 4b is a sectionaIview of said clamping device after holding the superposed mass;

\ FIG. 5 is asectional view of the superposed r'n'ass clamped by the clamping device of FIG. 3 and further bound with a looped tape;

FIG. 6 is a general.elevationincluding a tape feeder,

clamped superposed mass, tape welding device and FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the heating device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view of the superposed mass withdrawing device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c are elevations showing the positional relationship of the fastened superposed mass with the pushing means of the withdrawing device of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an elevation of a modified clamping device; and 7 FIG. 1 l is an elevation of a tape feeder for preventing two welded joints from being formed in the looped tape.

Referring to FIG. 1, numeral 1 denotes a transporting device which includes a plurality of rollers 2; a plurality of belts 3 stretched over said rollers 2; and urging means 6 to be pressed against the rear end of the superposed mass 5, for example, superposed post cards carried along in the direction of the indicated arrow 4 from the right side of FIG. 1 by being placed on the belts 3, thereby forwarding the superposed mass 5 toward a clamping device 7. When brought into the clamping device 7, the superposed mass 5 has its crosswise sides clampedthereby. The clamping device 7 is fixed on a base 8 movable on a rail 11. Above the passage of the superposed mass 5 is disposed a tape feeder 9. A heat contractible tape supplied from the feeder 9 is pressed against the forward end face of the superposed mass 5 and further drawin out in the direction of the indicated arrow 4 by being conducted over guide members 12, for example, rollers. As a result, the tape 10 is wound around-the forward end face, top and bottom surfaces of the superposed mass 5. When the mass further travels in the direction of the indicated arrow 4, a tape welding device 13 is put into operation to weld together those portions of the wound tape 10 which extend outward from the top and bottom surfaces of the superposed mass 5 near its rear end. Substantially at the same time, a cutting device 14 is actuated to cut off the looped portion of the tape 10, with the other portion being drawn out from the feeder 9 left uncut. The superposed mass 5 bound with the looped tape 10 and still clamped on both crosswise sides are further brought into a heating device 15. Since the looped tape 10 is thermally contracted in the furnace of said heating device 15, the superposed mass 5 is tightly fastened. When the fastened mass 5 is taken outside of the furnace, the pushing means 21 of the later described withdrawing device 16 is pressed against the rear end of the superposed mass 5 to throw it into a receptacle l7 disposed ahead. The moment the superposed mass 5 is removed, the clamping device 7 is driven opposite to the direction of the indicated arrow 4 back to its original position as illustrated, ready to clamp the succeeding superposed mass. j

The transporting device 1 comprises, as shown in FIG. 2, four rollers 2a to 2d each provided with a belt groove and penetrated by'a common rotatable shaft; belts 3a to 3d stretched over said rollers 2a to 2d; erected pressing means '19 having a 'plurality of comblike projections 18 formed along part of the bottom edge at right angles to said means 19, said projections 18 being so arranged as to be each disposed between ciprocating the pressing means'19 in the directions of the indicated double arrow 22; and anotherair cylinder 27 for actuating a plunger 26 so as to reciprocate the first mentioned air cylinder 24 vertically in the directions of the indicated double arrow 25, the latter cylinder 27 being fixed to a frame (not shown). When the superposed mass 5 placed on the belts 3a to'3d are brought to a prescribed position, the arrival is detected by a photoelectric detector. Upon generation of said detection signal, the pressing means 19 which is normally positioned above the belts 3 is brought down by the actionof the air cylinder 27 to cause the aforesaid projections 18 to be forced into the interspaces between those portions of the belts 3a to 3d which are brought just behind the rear end of the superposed mass 5. At this time the pressing means 19 is driven forward by the action of the air cylinder 24 in the direction of the indicated arrow 4 at a greater speed than that at which the belts 3 are moving. Thus the superposed mass is advanced similarly in the direction of the indicated arrow 4.- i i i The clamping device 7 comprises, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, clamping means 28, 28 for holding both crosswise sides of the superposed mass 5 parallel with the direction (FIG. 1) in which it is travelling; a base 8 for supporting the clamping means .28, 28 through driving means connecting both base 8 and clamping means; and guide member 11, for example, rails (FIG. 1) for conducting said base 8 forward so as to move said clamping means 28, 28 along the tape feeder 9, welding device 13, cutting device 14 and heating device l5. Said clamping means 28, 28 include mounting 7 operation with said mounting members 29a and 29b.

To the outside'of the vertical wall of said compressing members a and 30b are fitted rack members 32, 32, which are made to reciprocate in the directions of the indicated double arrow 36 by the rotation ofpinions fixed to both ends of a rotatable shaft 34 having a pinion gear 33 disposed at the center. The rotation of the pinion gear 33 is effected by the reciprocation of a rack member 38 driven by an air cylinder 37 fixed to the base 8, the operation of said air cylinder 37 being controlled by detection means (not shown) for detecting the time when the superposed mass 5 is placed on the mounting members 29a and 29b. The air cylinder 37 is provided with compressed air pipes 39a and 39b. The reciprocation of the rack member 38 is adjusted through control of the pressure of compressed air supplied to the air cylinder 37 by the aforesaid detection means (not shown). g e

The mounting members 29a and 29b have a ridge 40 formed at the center so as to extend at right angles to the individual belts 3a to 3d and extend in the direction the direction in which they are'made to traveL'Accordingly, each mounting member presents an angular cross section along the movingdi're'ction. The top plates of the compressing members30a and30b located above the mounting members 29a and '29b are similarly bent to form a ridge 42. To the underside of the compressing members-30g and 30b are fitted, for example, elastic strips 43:1,", 43b, and 43a',, 43b, (the latter two are not shown). Each of said elastic strip has its base end fixed to said underside andits free end directed slantwise downward toward the crosswise edges of the superposed mass 5 at which it is to be'clamped.: The tip of the free end is turned upward to prevent the surface of the superposed mass from being damaged when said free end is pressed-against it'(FIG. 4a

FIGS. 4a and 4b show the cross sections of those portions of the superposed mass 5 which are sandwiched betwe en the ridge 42 formed on the top plate of the compressing members 30a and 30b and the ridge 40 formed on the mounting members 29a and 29b, by way "of illustrating the manner in which the superposed mass I double arrow 60.

4b. Accordingly, the superposed mass 5 is clamped in such a manner that its cross section in its travelling direction is bent upward, without having its upper central portion unnecessarily swollen.

If, in this case those parts of the compressing members 30a and 30b which contact the upper surface of the superposed mass 5 are'perforated .with air escape holes, then the clamping operation can be conducted quickly and reliably. The aforementioned elastic mem-' ber 43 may consist of a compression coil spring, and fitted only to the underside of the compressing members 30a and 30b or to both said underside and the upper surface of the mounting members 29a and 29b. The superposed mass 5 clamped as shown in FIG. 4b is brought to the tape feeder 9 of FIG. 6 when the'base 8 is driven along the rails 11. The feeder 9 has rollers 45 and 46 for drawing out or taking up a heat contractible tape 44. The tape 44 is drawn out in the moving direction of the clamped superposed mass 5 by being initially pressed against its forward end face 47 in a manner to intersect said moving direction at right angles in a vertical plane. Above and below the passage of the superposed mass 5 are disposedtape guiding members, for example, rollers 48 and 49, which are spaced from each other at a sufficient interval 50 to allow the free passage of the superposed mass 5. Numeral 44a denotes the drawn out portion of the tape 44. Said rollers 45 and 46 used in feeding or taking up the tape 44 make a free rotation when the tape 44 is drawn out.

There will now be described the operation of a tape welding device 13 having tape welding blades 52- and 53 and a tape cutting device 14 having a cutting blade 54 disposed between said welding blades 52'and 53. These devices 13 and 14 are located abovethe passage of the superposed mass 5, while a cradle 57 forreceiv ing said blades 52, 53 and 54 isplaced below said pasby the cutting blade 54 between said two lines. As a result, there is formed a loop of tape 62 around the forward and rear end face, top and bottom surfaces of the superposed mass5. Since that portion of the tape which is draun out from the feeder 9 still remains welded by the welding blade 53,- it is not cut off, but is ready to be wound about the succeeding superposed mass 5. When wound with the looped tape, the superposed mass 5 presents the cross section shown in FIG. 5 along its passage.

FIG. 7 indicates an example of the heating device 15 used in the apparatus of this invention. Numeral 63 represents a heating casing provided with an inlet 64 and outlet 65 for the superposed mass 5 and containing heat elements 66 fitted to the upper and lower inner walls of said casing 63. There are located across said inlet and outlet 64 and 65 air discharging ducts 68 communicating with exhaust pipes 67 and air suckingducts 70 communicating with suction pipes 69, thereby pro viding air curtains 72 and 73. Through the inlet air curtain 72 is introduced the clamped and tapewound su-' perposed mass 5 into the heating device 15. The furnace'which has its internal atmosphere shut off from the outside enables the thermal contraction of the looped tape with small power requirements. Under this condition, the superposed mass 5 is fastened by a tape indicated in two-dot dash lines in FIG. 5. The fastened mass is further carried by the clamping device 7 in the sage. Each bladehas substantially the same length as f the width of the tape 44. The welding and cutting devices 13 and 14 are reciprocated by an air cylinder 59 through aplunger 58in the directions of the indicated When the clamped superposed mass 5 is advanced,

then the tape 44a is drawn out to be wound about the forward end face 47, top and bottom 'surfaces of the mass 5. When the mass 5 takes the indicated position,

the air cylinder 59 is actuated to bring down the weldingand cutting. devices 13 and 14' to.the two-dot dash line of FIG. 6. Since the-welding blades 52 and 53 are heated by a heater disposed in the welding device 13,

those portions of the tape which are wound about the top and bottom surfaces of the superposed mass 5 are welded together near its rear end. The welding blades 52 and 53 are spatially arranged in the traveling direction of said mass 5. Those portions of the tape which are Wound about the top and bottom surfaces of the superposed mass are welded together along two separate lines perpendicularly intersecting the passage of the superposed mass 5. At the same time, the tape is cut off direction of the indicated arrow 4. Whenthe clamped and tape-wound superposed mass 5 leaves the heating device 15, the air cylinder 37 is actuated to push up the compressing members 30a and 30b, thereby releasing the superposed mass 5 from a clamped state. At this time the superposed mass 5 is relieved of its bent form and straightened out on the surface, thereby to be all the more firmly fastened by the tape. The mass 5 is further forwarded in the direction of the indicated arrow 4 with both crosswise sides placed on the mounting members 29a and 29b. On the outlet side of the heating device 15 is provided a mounting table 81 having an inclined surface 'to receive the central part of successively incoming superposed masses already fastened. Accordingly, they are transferred frorn'the mounting members 298; and 29b'to said mounting table 81. Upon completion of said transfe'r, the clamping f'device 7 is member 74 engageable with the pushing means'2l; an arm 76 one end of which supports the fitting-member 74 and the other end of which is fixed to a plunger anda fixed air cylinder 77 for reciprocating the plunger 75. The pushing'means has'its bottom edge directed atright angles to the moving direction-of the superposed mass 5, and rotates about a pin 78 attached to the fitting member 74. The pushing means 21 is further provided with a spring 79 and stop pin 80 so as to rotate freely clockwise, but be only allowed to swing counterclockwise'until it' is positioned at right angles to the traveling direction of the superposed mass 5.

When the superposed mass 5 is brought on to the mounting table 81 through the 'outlet air curtain 73, then the pushing means 21 rotates clockwise as shown I in FIG. 9a to cause its bottom edge 71 to slideover the top surfaceof the superposed mass and then swings counterclockwise to cause its bottom edge 71 to be pressed against the rear end of the superposed mass 5 as shown in FIG. 9b. At this time, the air cylinder 77 drives the plunger 75 in the direction of the indicated arrow 82 (FIG. 9c), thereby enabling the superposed mass 5 to be thrown from the mounting table 81 into the receptacle 17. As previously mentioned, the super posed mass 5 released from a clamped state regains its original form due to its righting moment so as to have its top and bottom surfaces straightened out, thereby to be all the more tightly bound. It is possible to conduct the clamped superposed mass 5 to the heating device and draw it out therefrom after releasing it from a clamped state while it is placed in the furnace of said device 15.

When the looped'tape 62 is wound about the super posed mass 5 the roller 45 of the tape feeder 9 absorbs the sagging of the tape in co-oper ation with the roller 46 so as to enable the looped tape 62 to regain its original state even after cutting. However, there is still the possibility of two welded joints appearing on a looped tape wound about the immediately following superposed mass $.To avoid such occurrence, there is presented a modified type of tape feeder 9 in FIG. 11. The reduction of welded joints to a single place not only minimizes the possibility of the welded portions of the tape being separated at such joint but also elevates the visual appeal of the tape-wound superposed mass 5. Referring to FIG. 11, numerals 45a and 46a represent tape feed rollers, and 48a and 49a tape guide rollers. Those portions of the tape 44 indicated in solid lines show the condition which the tape 44 presents after it was wound about the preceding superposed mass 5, the welded joint being indicated at 83. Under this condition, the succeeding superposed mass 5 is moved in the direction of the indicated arrow 82 so as to have its forward end face 47 pressed against said welded joint 83. While the suceeding superposed mass 5 is further travelling in the direction of the indicated arrow 82, the tape 44 is drawn out only from theroller 46a so as to cause the welded joint 83 to be brought to a point indicated by dotted lines when said mass 5 is moved to a position surrounded by dotted lines Under this condi tion, the tape welder'13a, tape cutter 14a and cutter blade cradle 57 are drawn close to each other, thereby to form a looped tape 62. This process allows only one joint to be formed in the looped tape 62. In this case it is possible to shift the joint 83 in advance toward the guide roller 48a and thereafter press the tape 44 against the forward end face of the succeeding superposed mass 5.

The clamping device included in' the fastening apparatus of this invention may be so arranged as illustratedin FIG. 10. Numeral 84 represents abelt conveyor corresponding to the mounting members 29a and 29b of the aforesaid embodiment. The conveyor 84 consists of Numeral 91 denotes still another system of belt conveyor corresponding to the compressing members 300 and 30b of the preceding embodiment. This conveyor 91 consists of two parallel belts which are guided by rollers 92a to 92d and a tension roller 93. The distance between the belt conveyors 84 and 91 so designed as to become progressively narrower from the roller 92c to the roller 92b. The superposed mass 5 transported by the belt conveyor 89 up to the fastening apparatus is further carried with its crosswise sides mounted on "the two parallel belts conveyor 84 and brought to a position indicated by dotted lines with said crosswise sides clamped between the belt conveyors84 and 91. Across that section of the passage of the superposed mass 5 which is defined between rollers 92a and 92b is sup plied a tape 44 from feed rollers b and 46b. Numerals 94a, 94b, 48b and49b are guide rollers and numeral 95 a tension roller. The tape welder 13, tape cutter 14 and cutter blade cradle 57 are disposed in the same position as in the embodiment of FIG. 6 with respect to the passage of the, superposed mass 5. Obviously, therefore, the tape 44 can be unfailingly wound about said mass 5. The operation of thermally contracting the wound looped tape and removing the resultant fastened mass 5 can be easily conducted simply by modifying the arrangement of FIG. 1, and description thereof is omitvertical plane; a welding device for welding together.

line connecting said crosswise sides; a tape feeder for drawing out a heat contractible tape in the moving direction of the mass by initially pressing it against the forward end face defined between the clamped crosswise sides of the mass, thereby winding it about the end face, top and bottom surfaces of the mass in a manner to intersectthe passage of the mass at right angles in a.

those portions of .the' tape which'extendbutwardffrom' the top and bottom surfaces o'f the mass at 'its rearend,

thereby winding the tape about those portions of the peripheral surface of the mass whichare defined betweenthe clamped crosswise sides; a tape cutting device for cutting off said wound looped tape to separate it from'the feeder with the portion of the tape being drawn out from the feeder left uncut; a heating device for heating the superposed mass still clamped and loosely wound with the tape so as to thermally contract the looped tape and tightly fasten said mass; and a withdrawing device for taking out the fastened mass which has left said heating device. a

, two parallel spaced belts which travel in the direction g -2. A fastening apparatus according' 'to claim 1 wherein the clamping device includes clamping means for holding both crosswise sides of the superposed mass '1 parallel with its travelling direction; a base for support- 1 ing saidclarnping means; and a guide member for guiding said clamping means along the tape feeder, welding device, cutting device and heating device by guiding said base. 7

3. A fastening apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the clamping device consists of mounting members for receiving on the surface both crosswise sides of the forwarded superposed mass; and movable I compressing members located above said mounting members for depressing both crosswise sides of the superposed mass being clamped.

4. A fastening apparatus according to. claim 3 wherein the mounting members have the central part raided upward parallel with its travelling direction; and the compressing members have a depressing surface formed substantially parallel with the mounting surface of said mounting members, thereby causing the superbelts.

11. A fastening apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tape feeder is provided with tape guide rollers disposed on that side of said feeder from which the tape is drawn out in the moving direction of the superposed mass with a slightly larger space than the thickness of said superposed mass allowed therebeposedmass to present a bent cross section along its moving direction.

5. A fastening apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the compressing members includes elastic members fixed to the depressing surface, said elasting members being designed to depress both crosswise sides of the superposed mass so as to cause the mass as a whole to be stretched toward said crosswise sides.

6. A fastening device according to claim 5 wherein each elastic member has its base end fixed to the depressing surface of the compressing member and its free end directed slantwise downward toward one of crosswise sides of the superposed mass being clamped.

7. A fastening apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the transporting device includes a belt conveyor consisting of rollers and belts stretched over said rollers with one end disposed near the clamping device; and means for pushing the rear end of the superposed mass already transported by the belt conveyor further in its travelling direction so as to place said mass on the mounting members of the clamping device.

8. A fastening apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the belt conveyor includes a plurality of spaced rollers provided with a belt groove and a plurality of parallel belts stretched over said rollers; and the superposed mass pushing means comprises a pressing member provided with comb-like teeth inserted, where required, between said plural parallel belts and drive means for urging said pressing member in the travelling direction of the superposed mass as well as in a direction at right angles to said travelling direction.

9. A fastening apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the clamping device consists of a first pair of parallel belts for receiving on the surface those crosswise sides of the superposed mass already brought by the transporting device which are to be clamped; and a second pair of parallel belts disposed above said first paired belts with the distance therebetween progressively reduced so as to clamp the crosswise sides of the superposed mass in co-operationwith said first belts for further movement of the mass.

10, A fastening "apparatus 9 according to claim 9 wherein the tape feeder draws out a heat contractible tape so as to cause it to travelcontinuously between the first paired-belts as well as between the second paired tween.

' 12. A fastening apparatus according to' claim 1 wherein the tape feeder includes a feed roller and a tape up roller which make a free rotation when the tape is drawn out according to the movement of the superposed mass; and at least one of said rollers is so operated as to prevent the welded joint of the portion of a tape previously conducted by both rollers from appearing on a looped tape being wound about the succeding superposed mass brought after the preceding portion of the tape is cut off. i

13. A fastening apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the heating device has a tunnel-shaped heating chmber through which the superposed mass clamped on both crosswise sides is-carried along and a device for providing air curtains at both inlet and outlet of said heating chamber.

14. A fastening apparatus according to claim 1 whereinthe tape welding device includes a first welding blade for welding those portions of the tape which extend outward from the top and bottom surfaces of the superposed mass along a first line of welding and a second welding blade for welding said tape along an adjacent second line of welding; and the cutting device has a cutting blade disposed between said first and second welding bladesfsaid welding and cutting devices further including a common blade cradle.

15. A fastening apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the welding blades and cutting blade are fixed to a plunger receprocating relative to the blade cradle.

16. A fastening apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the superposed mass withdrawing device in cludes a pushing member for urging the fastened mass placed on the mounting members of the clamping device; and drive means for actuating said pushing member.

17. A fastening apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the pushing member is a plate member so fitted to said drive means as to be limited in rotation under an urging force acting opposite to the direction the superposed mass and, when further rotated, being pressed against the rear end of said mass for its further movement.

' I k t UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 I11? 7 i CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, 3 Dated October 1 I V nt Mitsuo KUBO et al It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

IN THE ABSTRACT line 6, after "mass insert and;

line 10, after "mass" delete when" and insert When-;

line 13, after "together" delete and insert -and-;

change "that" to -the;

line 16, after "uncut" delete the" and insert The--;

line 17 change "are" to is-;

line 19, after "together" change to Column 1 between lines 34 and 35 insert Summary of the Invention;

line 38, change "paralle" to -parallel--;

line 57. change "clampled" to -clamped-;

Column 2, line 1, change "certicicates" to -certificates--;

line 29, delete "with reference" Column 6, line 5, change "draun" to drawn--;

a FORM (10-59) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 9 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE '9" 3-33" UNTTEE STATES PATENT oEEIoE CERTIFEQATE 9F CQRRECTKON Patent No. 8 Dated October 23, 1973 Inventor) Mitsuo KUBO et al It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Page 2- Column 8, line 67, change "consists of" to -comprises--;

Column 9, line 7, change "raided" to -raised-;

line- 14, change "includes" to ---include-;

line 15, change "elasting" to elastic-; lines 20 and 21 change "its" (both occurrences) to --a;

line 26, change "consisting of" to -comprising;

line 37, after "teeth" insert selectively-;

lines 37 and 38, delete "where required" line 43, change "consists of" to '-comprises-;

line 44, change "the" to their;

Column 10, line 1 1 change "tape" to -take;

line 21, change "chmber to -chamber-;

line 23 before "inlet" insert -the;

line 37, change "receprocating" to -reciprocating.-;

line 46, change "is to --comprises--;

F ORM PC3-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-5 09 v u.s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1M9 0-36-334.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 766 708 Dated October 23 'l 973 In ent 1-( )MitSuO KUBO et al It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Page 3- Colnmn 10, lines 46 and 47. change "so, fitted" to coupled;

line 47. after "means" insert -so line 49, after "but insert to-'; 7

line 50, after "force" insert Signed and sealed this 3 b of April 197M (SEAL) Attest:

EDX'FAPLD H.FLETCFER,JR. C. MARSHALL DANE Attesting Gfficer Commissioner of Patents I USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 v: 0.5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE I969 0-36l-33l.

FORM PC3-1050 (10-69) 

1. An apparatus for fastening a superposed mass of sheet-like materials which comprises a transporting device for forwarding said superposed mass; a clamping device for holding both crosswise sides of the transported mass parallel with its travelling direction and moving it in a direction perpendicularly intersecting a line connecting said crosswise sides; a tape feeder for drawing out a heat contractible tape in the moving direction of the mass by initially pressing it against the forward end face defined between the clamped crosswise sides of the mass, thereby winding it about the end face, top and bottom surfaces of the mass in a manner to intersect the passage of the mass at right angles in a vertical plane; a welding device for welding together those portions of the tape which extend outward from the top and bottom surfaces of the mass at its rear end, thereby winding the tape about those portions of the peripheral surface of the mass which are defined between the clamped crosswise sides; a tape cutting device for cutting off said wound looped tape to separate it from the feeder with the portion of the tape being drawn out from the feeder left uncut; a heating device for heating the superposed mass still clamped and loosely wound with the tape so as to thermally contract the looped tape and tightly fasten said mass; and a withdrawing device for taking out the fastened mass which has left said heating device.
 2. A fastening apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the clamping device includes clamping means for holding both crosswise sides of the superposed mass parallel with its travelling direction; a base for supporting said clamping means; and a guide member for guiding said clamping means along the tape feeder, welding device, cutting device and heating device by guiding said base.
 3. A fastening apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the clamping device comprises mounting members for receiving on the surface both crosswise sides of the forwarded superposed mass; and movable compressing members located above said mounting members for depressing both crosswise sides of the superposed mass being clamped.
 4. A fastening apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the mounting members have the central part raised upward parallel with its travelling direction; and the compressing members have a depressing surface formed substantially parallel with the mounting surface of said mounting members, thereby causing the superposed mass to present a bent cross section along its moving direction.
 5. A fastening apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the compressing members include elastic members fixed to the depressing surface, said elastic members being designed to depress both crosswise sides of the superposed mass so as to cause the mass as a whole to be stretched toward said crosswise sides.
 6. A fastening device according to claim 5 wherein each elastic member has a base end fixed to the depressing surface of the compressing member and a free end directed slantwise downward toward one of crosswise sides of the superposed mass being clamped.
 7. A fastening apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the transporting device includes a belt conveyor comprising rollers and belts stretched over said rollers with one end disposed near the clamping device; and means for pushing the rear end of the superposed mass already transported by the belt conveyor further in its travelling direction so as to place said mass on the mounting members of the clamping device.
 8. A fastening apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the belt conveyor includes a plurality of spaced rollers provided with a belt groove and a plurality of parallel belts stretched over said rollers; and the superposed mass pushing means comprises a pressing member provided with comb-like teeth selectively inserted, between said plural parallel belts and drive means for urging said pressing member in the travelling direction of the superposed mass As well as in a direction at right angles to said travelling direction.
 9. A fastening apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the clamping device comprises a first pair of parallel belts for receiving on their surface those crosswise sides of the superposed mass already brought by the transporting device which are to be clamped; and a second pair of parallel belts disposed above said first paired belts with the distance therebetween progressively reduced so as to clamp the crosswise sides of the superposed mass in co-operation with said first belts for further movement of the mass.
 10. A fastening apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the tape feeder draws out a heat contractible tape so as to cause it to travel continuously between the first paired belts as well as between the second paired belts.
 11. A fastening apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tape feeder is provided with tape guide rollers disposed on that side of said feeder from which the tape is drawn out in the moving direction of the superposed mass with a slightly larger space than the thickness of said superposed mass allowed therebetween.
 12. A fastening apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the take feeder includes a feed roller and a tape up roller which make a free rotation when the tape is drawn out according to the movement of the superposed mass; and at least one of said rollers is so operated as to prevent the welded joint of the portion of a tape previously conducted by both rollers from appearing on a looped tape being wound about the succeding superposed mass brought after the preceding portion of the tape is cut off.
 13. A fastening apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the heating device has a tunnel-shaped heating chamber through which the superposed mass clamped on both crosswise sides is carried along and a device for providing air curtains at both the inlet and outlet of said heating chamber.
 14. A fastening apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tape welding device includes a first welding blade for welding those portions of the tape which extend outward from the top and bottom surfaces of the superposed mass along a first line of welding and a second welding blade for welding said tape along an adjacent second line of welding; and the cutting device has a cutting blade disposed between said first and second welding blades, said welding and cutting devices further including a common blade cradle.
 15. A fastening apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the welding blades and cutting blade are fixed to a plunger reciprocating relative to the blade cradle.
 16. A fastening apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the superposed mass withdrawing device includes a pushing member for urging the fastened mass placed on the mounting members of the clamping device; and drive means for actuating said pushing member.
 17. A fastening apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the pushing member comprises a plate member coupled to said drive means so as to be limited in rotation under an urging force acting opposite to the direction in which said fastened mass is driven, but to freely rotate under an opposite urging force; said plate, when urged in the latter direction, sliding over the top surface of the superposed mass and, when further rotated, being pressed against the rear end of said mass for its further movement. 